'Speaker Series' to explore Native Peoples of Illinois March 23

The Geneva Library Foundation's "Speaker Series" continues with "Native Peoples of Illinois" by Meg Bero from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, in the library's lower meeting room, 127 James St.

Long before Europeans "discovered" the Americas, indigenous people commonly referred to as Native Americans populated what is now the United States of America. Today, less than 2 percent of the country's population identifies as Native American. Yet, despite their small numbers compared to the general population, contributions from Native American culture helped shape and define present-day Illinois.

Native Americans have lived in the Midwest, including the portion that became the state of Illinois, for at least 10,000 years. In 1673, French explorers and missionaries met Native American tribes living in what the French called "the Illinois country." The name, Illinois, comes from the French translation for Illiniwek. The French built forts along the principal river of the region, which they also called "Illinois." By 1835, less than 200 years later, all native tribes had been removed from the newly established State. However, the name Illinois remained.

Join the Geneva Library Foundation and its guest, Meg Bero, as it journeys to the past for a look at the history and culture of Native Americans in our state. To register for this free event, visit www.genevalibraryfoundation.org.

Meg Bero is the executive director of the Schingoethe Center of Aurora University, which works to preserve Native American cultures, and an instructor in Museum Studies. Bero has received numerous awards from organizations such as the Illinois Association of Museums, the Illinois Historical Society, and the Illinois Art Education Association. She regularly presents on Native American art and culture, including presentations at conferences held by the American Alliance of Museums, the Mountain Plains Museum Association, and the Parliament of the World's Religions. Bero received her undergraduate education at the University of Missouri in art education and her master of arts in teaching from Aurora University.

For information, contact Peter Evans at (630) 220-3689, or pevans@genevalibraryfoundation.org.